Brewers, Cardinals advance

Milwaukee Brewers' Nyjer Morgan celebrates with teammates after hitting the game-winning single during the 10th inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 3-2 to advance to the National League championship series. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Milwaukee Brewers' Nyjer Morgan is mobbed by teammates after hitting the game-winning single during the 10th inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 3-2 to advance to the National League championship series. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Nyjer Morgan celebrates with teammates after hitting the game-winning single during the 10th inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 3-2 to advance to the National League championship series. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Milwaukee Brewers' Nyjer Morgan (2) reacts after hitting the game-winning single during the 10th inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 3-2 to advance to the National League championship series. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Milwaukee Brewers' Nyjer Morgan reacts after hitting the game-winning single during the 10th inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 3-2 to advance to the National League championship series. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Nyjer Morgan is mobbed by teammates after hitting the game-winning single during the 10th inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 3-2 to advance to the National League championship series. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Nyjer Morgan (2) reacts after hitting the game-winning single during the 10th inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 3-2 to advance to the National League championship series. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Milwaukee Brewers' Nyjer Morgan celebrates with teammates after hitting the game-winning single during the 10th inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 3-2 to advance to the National League championship series. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Milwaukee Brewers' Nyjer Morgan celebrates with teammates after hitting the game-winning single during the 10th inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 3-2 to advance to the National League championship series. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Justin Upton hits a home run during the third inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Placido Polanco catches a foul ball hit by St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Holliday during the first inning of baseball's Game 5 of the National League division series Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, Pool)

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter throws a pitch during the first inning of baseball's Game 5 of the National League division series with the Philadelphia Phillies Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, Pool)

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Nick Punto (8) makes the catch as first baseman Albert Pujols (5) gets out of the way on the fly ball hit by Philadelphia Phillies Placido Polanco during the second inning of baseball's Game 5 of the National League division series Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay walks off the field after the second inning of baseball's Game 5 of the National League division series with the St. Louis Cardinals Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley (26) is out at second base as St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal can't make the throw to first on the ball hit by Shane Victorino during the fourth inning of baseball's Game 5 of the National League division series Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins talks with home plate umpire Gary Cederstrom about his ground out during the third inning of baseball's Game 5 of the National League division series with the St. Louis Cardinals Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay wipes his face during the fourth inning of baseball's Game 5 of the National League division series with the St. Louis Cardinals Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley (26) is out at second base as St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal can't make the throw to first on the ball hit by Shane Victorino during the fourth inning of baseball's Game 5 of the National League division series Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay wipes his face during the fourth inning of baseball's Game 5 of the National League division series with the St. Louis Cardinals Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jerry Hairston Jr. breaks his bat as he hits a foul ball during the fourth inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez reacts after the third out during the eighth inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ian Kennedy throws during the first inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

Members of the Arizona Diamondbacks watch from the dugout during the eighth inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt, left, slides into Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks as he breaks up a double play during the fourth inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. Goldschmidt was out at second and Chris Young was safe at first on the play. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Milwaukee Brewers' Yovani Gallardo reacts after missing a pitch during the third inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill catches a fly ball hit by Milwaukee Brewers' Jerry Hairston Jr. during the fourth inning of Game 5 of baseball's National League division series Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Milwaukee. The Brewers' Nyjer Morgan scored from the third on the play. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (11) can't make the catch for the out on St. Louis Cardinals' Chris Carpenter (29) on the bunt by Rafael Furcal during the eighth inning of baseball's Game 5 of the National League division series Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (11) can't make the catch for the out on St. Louis Cardinals' Chris Carpenter (29) on the bunt by Rafael Furcal during the eighth inning of baseball's Game 5 of the National League division series Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Nick Punto, left, reacts after Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley was thrown out at second base on the steal attempt during the sixth inning of baseball's Game 5 of the National League division series, Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

MILWAUKEE — Nyjer Morgan did it again for Milwaukee, delivering an RBI single in the 10th inning to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 Friday in Game 5 and send the Brewers to the NL championship series.

Morgan hit a one-out grounder up the middle and Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz tried in vain to stop it with his leg. Carlos Gomez scored from second, sailing across home plate as a wild throw went high, and Morgan was mobbed by jubilant teammates near the mound.

The latest dramatic finish for baseball’s best home team at raucous Miller Park gave Milwaukee its first victory in a postseason series since it won the AL pennant in 1982.

Next, the Brewers move on to face Friday night’s winner of Game 5 between St. Louis and Philadelphia. The NLCS begins Sunday, with the Brewers opening at home.

Arizona did all it could to extend its surprising season. Center fielder Chris Young made a jaw-dropping catch in the sixth and the Diamondbacks had one last comeback left in the ninth.

Willie Bloomquist drove in the tying run with a safety squeeze, but Arizona was unable to forge ahead against closer John Axford.

“This was a great baseball game today. I’m not happy to be on this end of it. Yet I’m proud of my team and they played true to the way they played all year,” Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said.

“And the Brewers, they cashed in on their opportunities, what can we say? We had tons of opportunities.”

Morgan was a critical addition for the Brewers this year and had several clutch hits, winning fans along the way with his oversized personality that includes a wildman alter-ego he calls “Tony Plush.” But he wasn’t having a particularly productive series until his big moment in the deciding game.

PHILADELPHIA — Chris Carpenter tossed a three-hitter to outpitch old pal Roy Halladay in a duel for the ages and the St. Louis Cardinals edged the Philadelphia Phillies in the deciding Game 5 of their NL playoff series.

The wild-card Cardinals scored in the first inning when Rafael Furcal led off with a triple and Skip Schumaker followed with a double.

And that was it.

Heavily favored Philadelphia never broke through against Carpenter. Ryan Howard grounded out to end the game and hurt his leg coming out of the batter’s box — he limped a couple of steps and crumpled to the ground as St. Louis started to celebrate.

The Cardinals needed a monumental collapse by Atlanta in the final month and major help from the 102-win Phillies just to reach the playoffs. Now they’re heading to Milwaukee for the NL championship series starting Sunday following a stunning upset in which they beat three of Philadelphia’s four aces: Halladay, Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt.